Hockey: England cruise into last four

Their sixth victory on the trot was not the most passionate affair and nor did it especially please their coach Tricia Heberle, but with qualification achieved and semi-finals to come on Saturday, one slack performance was probably acceptable.

The goals came courtesy of Jennie Bimson, Purdy Miller, Jane Smith, Tina Cullen and Mel Clewlow, and the victory meant England would be facing either Russia, Lithuania or Japan in the last four.

Japan secured their World Cup place with a 1-0 win over Canada, and Russia extended their glut of goals with a 9-2 win over Belgium.

Ireland can still reach the semi-finals here in France, thanks to a 1-0 victory over Kazakhstan yesterday, but they will need to beat Ukraine today if they are to qualify automatically for Perth.

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Lynsey McVicker scored the winner yesterday. It proved to be Ireland's only breakthrough in 70 minutes of almost continuous pressure.

Scotland, meanwhile, have a make-or-break tussle with Canada today just to make the top four in Pool B, which has been dominated by Russia. Should they squeak in, they will tackle the third-placed finishers from Pool A, with the winners going to Australia.

Scotland's Under-21 squad fly to Australia tomorrow to complete their preparations for the Junior World Cup which starts in Hobart early next month.

Laurence Docherty's men will go through an acclimatisation programme on the mainland, including one final warm-up match against Argentina before travelling to Tasmania.